Recent Events
Arbor Day at Pharazyn Reserve 2011
On Wednesday June 8th around 350 children from Kapanui and Waikanae Primary schools arrived in a well co-ordinated relay system to plant an area of Pharazyn Reserve around the edge of the main pool.
As each class arrived they were given an introductory talk by Lisa from DOC and her amazing cast of dead fauna and a talk on plants and planting by Rob Cross the Kapiti Council’s Biodiversity Advisor before setting off for the main task.
When it came to the task in hand, the helpers from Friends of Pharazyn Reserve, Forest and Bird, Kapiti Council, and DOC were seen valiantly wading through the mud at the edge of the lagoon assisting with the planting. Although a little wet underfoot this didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the children. Some boys seemed to delight in splashing through the water and jumping in puddles, although their parents and teachers may not take the same view.
Despite some difficult conditions, by the end of the day more than 1350 new plants had filled a large area around part of the lagoon and the children had much to talk about. More Photos
Kapiti-Mana visits Bushy Park
We boarded the bus on a crisp April morning for our day trip to Bushy Park. On arrival we were met by Caleb, the teenage son of the current managers, who gave us a brief history of the house and grounds before guiding us on a walk through a beautiful stand of maturing native forest. Within minutes we were joined by a friendly Black Robin that accompanied us through the forest to 'Ratanui', a mighty Northern Rata claimed to be the largest in New Zealand and at least 800 years old. It was also good to see the forest regenerating since completion of a pest proof fence five years back. The bush was alive with the sound of saddlebacks, tuis, wood pigeons, grey warblers and fantails, not to mention the bellbirds. The morning’s highlight, for a lucky few, was to see so many curious saddlebacks and other birds arriving on cue to check out the strange noises created by Enfys Graham with her homemade bird squeaker!!
After lunch in the grand dining room of the old homestead, there was time for one more circuit of the forest to seek out favourite birds before the return journey. We arrived back on the Kapiti Coast around 5 pm and all agreed that it had been a great day out.
Kapiti Branch Barbecue
The Kapiti-Mana branch barbecue on Saturday 19th February at Kaitawa Reserves saw a group of members and guests enjoying their lunch in near perfect weather. After an hour or so of cooking, eating and friendly conversation, the group was led through the reserve by Kaitawa stalwart John McLachlan to see the results of the replanting programme undertaken by volunteers.
Starting in the lower reserve we crossed the Valley stream via a long shady bridge and saw plantings of many tree species including Kahikatea, Maire, Pukatea, Matai, and Northern Rata, some of which now provide an abundance of fruit for a growing number of Tuis and Wood Pigeons.
Passing large areas of mature flax and grasses to cross Riwai Street, we reached the upper reserve. There we saw a maturing Rimu saved from the axe, followed by plantings of Kahikatea, Rimu and Miro. The tour ended at a beautiful recovered swamp area with thriving clumps of Carex Sector and native trees complete with Bellbirds. We then returned to our cars well satisfied with the day.
Thanks go to all those bringing furniture and equipment. Particular thanks go to Tony and Lorna who not only provided the main barbecue and chairs, but did much of the cooking and to John for the guided tour of the reserve
KCC Kids invade Pukerua Bay
A small group of hardy KCC kids braved a howling southerly and heavy showers to spend a late June Saturday working in the Nga Uraora nursery at Pukerua Bay School potting up native plants.
This was followed by a walk, while fighting to remain upright in the gale force winds, up the steep hill on the seaward side of Pukerua bay to a secret valley where they enthusiastically planted a whole hillside with natives.
These children deserve a medal for working so well and achieving so much in such bad conditions. Well done, KCCers. A barbeque back at Pukerua bay school and a free plant for the garden, courtesy of Nga Uraora helped. Thanks, Nga Uraora.
Three weeks later another small group gathered at the Paekakariki school nursery and again pot-ted up lots of natives, followed by a barbeque, milo and chocolate biscuits provided by staff of Greater Wellington.
A storm-wrecked fairy prion was studied with great interest and enthusiasm. The children car-ried him to the planting area in the sand dunes at Queen Elizabeth Park for burial.
Many thanks to Nga Uruora workers and Juzah of Greater Wellington who hosted the events and gave individual tuition on planting, potting etc. Thanks also to Jean Luke who found the Fairy Prion and helped the children study it. — Sharyn Gunn
Ten Years of Take Care at Queen Elizabeth Park
On the morning of Sunday 15th August a crowd of volunteers gathered in a chilly southerly wind at Queen Elizabeth Park to celebrate the tenth birthday of Greater Wellington Regional Council’s “Take Care” programme. This is the banner under which volunteers turn out in all weathers to restore, plant, and maintain their local bit of paradise.
In keeping with the spirit of the Take Care programme, Greater Wellington Regional Council had brought 10,000 native trees and plants to the party, to create the biggest-ever planting day at the park.
After a blessing by Tuki Takwa Karikahia, some speeches, and a ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake by Fran Wilde, the volunteers headed out of the marquee into the wind for an almost kilometre trek to the planting area, eager to get started.
It was great to see young and old working side by side with such enthusiasm and passion. Sausages and birthday cake helped to restore flagging energy and brought smiles to the faces of our youngest volunteers.
It was hard to believe but the 250 or so volunteers reached their target within three hours and by about 2pm almost everyone was on their way home with a great sense of achievement.
